News

Hans Eichel commited to making tax system more sustainableBerlin, 26 January 2016GBG has appointed former Federal Minister Hans Eichel to Chair of its advisory board. During his time in office as minister of finance Eichel succesfully implemented an ecological tax reform. As part of his new position he wants to advocate an ecological tax system in which tax rates and pricing are commensurate with social and environmental truths. Read a German press release online.

This year's Adam Smith Prize awarded to Dr. Janez PotočnikBerlin, 25 November 2015This year's Adam Smith Prize for Environmental Economic Policy was awarded to the Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel (UNEP) and former European Commissioner for the Environment Dr. Janez Potočnik. During the award ceremony at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Potočnik's commitment for a transition to a greener, more energy- and resource-efficient economy was highlighted. A documentation of the event is available.

From left to right: Dr. Anselm Görres (chair of GBG), Dr. Janez Potočnik (laureate) and Hans Eichel (jury member and former Federal Minister)

Björn Klusmann becomes new managing director of GBGBerlin, 11 May 2015GBG has appointed Björn Klusmann to be its new managing director as of 1 August, 2015. The 37-year-old political scientist will be succeeding Damian Ludewig, who has left his position as GBG managing director after seven years at his own request. A press release (in German) is available online.

Coal levy debate: Economists and energy scientists back up Minister Gabriel's proposalBerlin, 22 April 2015More than 50 economists and energy scientists support the proposal for a climate levy. In an open declaration published by Green Budget Germany, the scientists emphasize the importance to remain pioneer for climate protection and to reach the national climate goals by implementing a climate levy without limitation. The open declaration and a German press release are available online.

Third Annual Conference of the Green Growth Knowledge PlatformVenice, 29-30 January 2015Kai Schlegelmilch, Vice-President and Co-Founder of Green Budget Germany (GBG), gave an interview about the paper "Fiscal considerations in the design of green tax reforms", which he co-authored with Amani Joas. The paper was commissioned by the GGKP Fiscal Instruments Research Committee for the Third Annual Conference of the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) and is available online.